Resorts in Fiji Where You Can Plant Coral and Save the Ocean
Holiday with a purpose by staying at a resort with its very own conservation program. While some have giant clam nurseries you can dive to or educational kids’ clubs, others have hands-on activities for guests where you can plant coral yourself. This list of Fiji resorts with conservation programs goes through some of the resorts looking after the environment, either with their own environmental programs and/or programs that guests can get involved in.
For resorts that have exceptional environmental initiatives when it comes to running the resort, check out the 10 Best Eco-Resorts in Fiji.
1. Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
An honest, no-nonsense yet gorgeous boutique resort in the Yasawa Islands, Barefoot Kuata Island Resort admits, “We actually prefer not to be referred to as an eco-resort as it is almost impossible to run a resort with zero negative impact…” Everything they do to compensate for their impact is done themselves with a full-time on-site marine biologist dedicated to a number of projects, from water quality testing to the care and preservation of all marine life. Guests at the resort are welcome to get involved in the resort’s conservation projects.
Check Barefoot Kuata Island Resort out:
- Barefoot Kuata Island Resort on Booking.com
- Barefoot Kuata Island Resort on Trip.com
- Barefoot Kuata Island Resort on Expedia
2. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort
One of the big names in marine conservation, education and Fiji resorts, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is not only highly involved in conservation programs but educates its guests and local communities. The resort on Vanua Levu works in conjunction with Ocean Futures Society, and more recently, the Sustainable Reefs program to help educate secondary schools, educators and communities in the Pacific Region. They also offer one of the most fun and informative kids’ clubs in Fiji to educate kids about the importance of protecting the ocean.
Check Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort out:
3. Mantaray Island Resort
As swimming with giant manta rays is one of the highlights of Mantaray Island Resort, they take preserving their ocean environment seriously. The resort in the Yasawa Islands has established a marine reserve in the waters right in front of the resort, allowing for their house reef to thrive. As well as having eco-resort features, like composting toilets and a wastewater treatment system, they have installed “eco-bin stations” on the beach to encourage guests to pick up any rubbish they see.
Check Mantaray Island Resort out:
- Mantaray Island Resort on Booking.com
- Mantaray Island Resort on Trip.com
- Mantaray Island Resort on Expedia
4. Likuliku Lagoon Resort
This adult-only luxury resort in the Mamanuca Islands not only is involved with marine conservation programs, such as turtle conservation, coral gardening and restoration, crown of thorns eradication, giant clam restoration and more but their work on the land is perhaps the most impressive. Working with its sister resort, Malolo Island Resort, and other Fiji organisations, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is involved in the Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Program, a planting initiative that has been set up to restore and stitch together dry forest patches – one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet – with native tree species on their resorts’ land leases.
Check Likuliku Lagoon Resort out:
- Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Booking.com
- Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Trip.com
- Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Expedia
5. Plantation Island Resort
This family-friendly resort in the Mamanuca Islands has a strong focus on marine conservation, particularly coral gardening in partnership with Corals for Conservation. Plantation Island Resort gets guests involved with coral planting as part of both their adults’ and kids’ activity programs, also working with University of the South Pacific marine biology students. See more resorts like this in the 10 Best Family Resorts in Fiji.
Check Plantation Island Resort out:
- Plantation Island Resort on Booking.com
- Plantation Island Resort on Trip.com
- Plantation Island Resort on Expedia
6. Tokoriki Island Resort
A member of the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES), Tokoriki Island Resort, is involved with turtle and coral conservation, education and water quality monitoring. The adult-only resort in the Mamanuca Islands most famously created the Tokoriki Giant Clam Regeneration more than 20 years ago with the Ministry of Fisheries which brought tridacna gigas clams (a critically endangered species) back to Fiji’s reefs. Now, Tokoriki has one of the largest collections of mature tridacna gigas clams in Fiji, which resort guests can dive to.
Check Tokoriki Island Resort out:
- Tokoriki Island Resort on Booking.com
- Tokoriki Island Resort on Trip.com
- Tokoriki Island Resort on Expedia
7. Castaway Island Resort
Part of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Castaway Island Resort and its sister resort, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, is part of the hotel chain’s “OZONE” program aiming to protect and grow coral reefs in the oceans surrounding its resorts. This includes reviving the depleted reef surrounding Castaway Island that has started to see clams, more fish and friendly reef sharks returning to its shoreline.
Check Castaway Island Resort out:
- Castaway Island Resort on Booking.com
- Castaway Island Resort on Trip.com
- Castaway Island Resort on Expedia
8. Makaira Resort
One of the best resorts to get into coral gardening yourself, Makaira Resort on the “garden island” of Taveuni is a top choice for the environmentally conscious. The resort owner is a passionate environmentalist who offers free lessons in coral gardening where guests leave having planted their own section of reef paradise. Return visitors can see how much their coral has progressed since their last stay.
Check Makaira Resort out:
9. Treasure Island Resort
One of the first resorts in the Mamanuca Islands to employ a full-time environmental officer, Treasure Island Resort has been invested in protecting their island’s population of hawksbill turtles for more than 40 years. Their Hawksbill Turtle Conservation Program releases hundreds of turtles back into the wild each year. For guests, this means turtle feeding displays, while the kids’ club helps forage for turtle food. Learn more in the 7 Best Places to See & Swim with Turtles in Fiji.
Check Treasure Island Resort out:
- Treasure Island Resort on Booking.com
- Treasure Island Resort on Trip.com
- Treasure Island Resort on Expedia
10. Tavarua Island Resort
Finally, a surf resort in the Mamanucas, Tavarua Island Resort is another resort with its own giant clam nursery to help boost the populations of this important marine species to local reefs. The eco-resort also has water bottle refilling stations, as well as provides reef safe sunscreen for guests to help protect the surrounding marine environment.
More About Fiji Resorts with Conservation Programs
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.